TAB-3

Chapter 45: TAB-3

Inside the command center, intelligence from various channels was compiled, and military deployment information confirmed that humanity's maritime military forces were concentrating in the Pacific Rim region. The monkeys, in particular, were causing a lot of trouble.

The old commander understood this situation a bit better. Recently, the monkey leader hadn't been sitting comfortably. Unlike the Korean leader, whose actions were eligible for UNESCO World Heritage status, he hadn't gone to jail yet, but his situation wasn't optimistic. This time, it seemed he was trying to demonstrate his resolve to gain more support from America.

"Heh." The old commander let out a cold chuckle, his smile not reaching his eyes. He knew the aliens wouldn't show any restraint towards the monkeys. Changing the subject, he continued, "How are our fleet preparations coming along?"

"Reporting, Commander. The formal contact fleet, centered around the Liaoning, will be fully assembled within 12 hours and will set sail within 24 hours. The new weapon testing mission is also proceeding according to the planned schedule."

"New weapon testing, do we have suitable candidates?" the commander asked with a serious tone.

To deal with the alien civilization, new sharp swords were indispensable. Even if formal diplomatic relations could be established with the alien civilization in the future, having a sword and not using it was not the same as not having a sword at all.

"Yes! The test ammunition has been delivered to the frontline airport. This is the candidate jointly proposed by the think tank and the General Staff."

The old commander took the personnel files for the mission and began to read them.

"Liu Jun?"

He knew this young man. The think tank had conducted various assessments of him.

[Psychological Assessment: Confirmed that Comrade Liu Jun's psychological state is normal after contact with the alien civilization. No post-war stress reactions were found. His current psychological state is suitable for this mission.]

[Health Status: Indicators normal]

[Family Factors: Only child]

[Marital Status: Unmarried]

[The following is the final decision:]

[① Under collective decision-making, and respecting the comrade's wishes, he is assessed as the most suitable candidate for the weapon testing mission.]

[② Under mission assignment, the weapon testing requires entering the alert zone of the alien spacecraft. This comrade possesses experience dealing with alien spacecraft, effectively increasing the success rate of the weapon testing by 10%↑ and reducing the casualty rate by 15%↓.]

[③ Other Factors]

The old commander looked at the assessment report. In the confrontation with the alien civilization, given the characteristics of their weaponry, having experience or not was a very significant dividing line. It could greatly increase a pilot's survival rate, much like an experienced test pilot's ability to handle aerial situations far surpassed that of an ordinary pilot.

Of course, the final execution still depended on Liu Jun's personal willingness. If he refused, subsequent personnel would take his place.

[Given family factors, you may choose to refuse]

"Command, this is Chang Kong, guaranteeing mission completion!"

Liu Jun said without hesitation. He had obtained Flight Experience, and there was no way he was letting it slip away like this. Besides, as a soldier, how could he back down before a mission?

After receiving Liu Jun's clear answer, the command center sent him encoded information via a directional data link.

After reconfirming Liu Jun's intentions, there was a few seconds of silence on the communication channel before the next instructions were issued:

[Chang Kong, emergency codename-2 (emergency codenames are typically used to quickly convey instructions and coordinate actions in urgent situations; this is a fictional designation), proceed to coordinates (latitude and longitude) using identification code. Maintain silent navigation and await further instructions. Security level: Secret.]

"Chang Kong received, proceeding to coordinates (Roger)."

Upon receiving the order, Liu Jun immediately terminated his course towards the Liaoning's location, pulled back on the stick, and changed his heading and altitude.

He wasn't too surprised by the sudden receipt of an urgent mission with a "Secret" security level. Given the current situation, missions could be assigned at any time. Looking at the provided coordinates, they were in the direction of the West Pacific. He remembered it was mostly water, with some reefs.

It was highly likely related to the aliens, so selecting him was "professionally relevant."

He set the current coordinates and proceeded towards the coordinates designated by his superiors using INS (Inertial Navigation System, which doesn't require external guidance). Observing his surroundings through his sunglasses, the light was strong at high altitudes, so he had to lower them to protect his eyes.

The weather was good today. He glanced at the fuel level. Although he hadn't entered the alert line, his fuel was running low. However, when he reached a point 130 nautical miles from the coordinates, a directional data link was established with the J-15.

[TAB (Forward Air Base)-3 calling Chang Kong, please land according to guidance.]

"Chang Kong, received."

Liu Jun reduced altitude and entered the landing procedure according to the guidance from the ground control tower.

As the J-15 pierced through the thick clouds, a 4km long strip of island appeared in the middle of the azure sea. A prominent runway was located on this strip of land.

What? When did they build a sea airport? Liu Jun looked at the airport below in surprise. Not long ago, this was just a reef. How many such airports, unused most of the time, were there? The thought made Liu Jun shudder.

"Preparing to enter, Chang Kong, requesting landing clearance from the control tower."

[Landing clearance granted.]

He throttled up, deployed the landing flaps, and lowered the landing gear.

Clang! The J-15 hit the runway heavily, decelerated, and finally taxied to a stop in a designated parking area on the side of the runway.

He opened the cockpit canopy. A ground crew member ran over with a ladder, another pulled a refueling hose to refuel the J-15, and several other ground crew members were installing external fuel tanks onto the J-15's underbelly hardpoints.

Liu Jun lowered the ladder and scanned the frontline airport. The newly built houses in the distance were all reinforced prefabricated structures, but the facilities were complete. He also saw camouflaged surface-to-air missile positions, shore-based anti-ship missile positions, and radar positions.

He retracted his gaze and watched the ground crew check the external fuel tanks, calculating the mission's flight range in his mind.

The J-15 had a range of about 3500 kilometers without external fuel tanks and about 4500 kilometers with them. Its combat radius was 1200 kilometers with standard configuration.

Judging from his current position, Liu Jun had a rough idea. At this moment, a utility vehicle quickly drove over, and several attendants brought Liu Jun hot meals and mineral water, along with the aircraft's emergency food and water supplies. These items further solidified his assumptions.

Liu Jun ate quietly nearby while the ground crew silently prepared the aircraft. Throughout the entire process, no one spoke to him.

"Second Lieutenant, refueling is complete, and the aircraft is functioning normally."

"Understood! Thank you for your hard work!"

After Liu Jun finished eating, he saw a Major arrive in a utility vehicle. He gestured for Liu Jun to go to an open area. Liu Jun got up and walked alongside the Major, who was holding a file, to a distance.

In the sea breeze, the Major handed the file to Liu Jun: "Comrade Liu Jun, this is your mission for this operation."

Happy New Year to everyone! Happy New Year!